On Saturday 17th July, The Mayor of Seaford was honoured to be invited to open the promenade storm gate thereby officially opening the Seaford Gateway; linking the Seaford seafront and its plentiful visitors with the vibrant Seaford town centre and its broad range of independent shops, cafés, galleries and other points of interest.
The storm gate was funded, made and installed by Seaford Rotary at the top of The Causeway. The gate ensures that visitors with mobility issues, wheelchair or pram users, have an additional access point to the promenade in winter, but one that can be closed when a storm warning is announced, preventing shingle and sea water flowing on to the road.
It can’t be said that the unpredictability of this summer’s weather did not bring about some concerns for the opening event, but the sun got its hat on and helped celebrate the introduction of such a beneficial and unique project to the town.
Seaford seafront becomes more popular year on year and as a result, Seaford Community Partnership and its partners saw an opportunity to encourage coastal visitors to the nearby, but not immediately visible town centre, to support the local traders. The path of the Gateway is created by beautifully designed seagull signs on the pavement and posts at intervals between the seafront and the town centre, as well as highlighted by map signs on the seafront. The signs on the seafront from the end of Dane Road and from the Martello Tower point to the Gateway which begins at the storm gate were installed by Seaford Rotary.
The Mayor was thrilled to be a part of the ceremony and walk the gateway path in to the town centre. Alongside the Mayor was Councillor Jean Cash (Deputy Mayor of Seaford), Erin Frankllin (Deputy Young Mayor of Seaford), District Councillor Christine Brett (Chair of Lewes District Council), Rotarian Keith Blackburn (Chair of the Seaford Community Partnership and event organiser), Gerri Ori (representing Impact Seaford and the Seaford Chamber of Commerce), Ann Reed (Vice President of Seaford Rotary and also the Mayoress), Peter White (Town Crier of Seaford), Town Councillors and other supporters and volunteers kind enough to help mark the event with their presence.
Speaking about the project, Rotarian Keith Blackburn said: ‘It has been great to be able to help our excellent local businesses. In addition to the active involvement of the Partnership, Seaford Town Council, and Seaford Rotary, it has been necessary to obtain the agreement of the Environment Agency and East Sussex County Council who have the safety of the public very much in mind. The project has shown what can be achieved by volunteers working in partnership with the authorities.’
Speaking about the official opening, Councillor Rodney Reed, Mayor of Seaford, said: ‘To borrow from a well-known phrase; this is one small stroll for visitors and one giant boost for our shops! I was honoured to be asked to be a part of opening the gateway and would encourage everyone visiting the seafront to help this wonderfully unique project to fulfil its purpose by walking in to the town centre, patronising our local businesses and enjoying everything Seaford has to offer.’
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more President of Seaford Rotary Club choses a charity to support, and at the end of the Presidential term of office a donation is made to the chosen charity
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more PRESIDENT MIKE Ogilvie joined around 100 people at Newhaven harbour on 28th April for the unveiling of Newhaven Fishermen's Memorial.
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more After many months sorting out the approval for the new storm gate it was installed on June 1st by Ken Holt and Clive Livingstone.
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more Parkruns have been set up across the UK over the past few years. They are community events for runners of all standards and ages to encourage physical and mental health. They are non-competitive and open to everyone.
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